Becoming a certified registered nurse requires a vivid understanding of critical nursing concepts, a lot of focus, and dedication. Covering the nursing course entails vast content and concepts which is why you need to come up with easier hacks to remember the important information. That is where CRN nurse flash cards free come into play. These cards are vital in helping students recall key details in the nursing field and help boost memory retention. If you are on a budget, the free nursing flashcards can be quite as effective as the paid ones as you will discover in this article.
Power of Flashcards in Learning
Flashcards are crucial study tools that enable students to remember important information. These tools actively engage your brain in active recall helping you acquire information from your memory without referring to the notes. This studying technique helps students remember crucial information quite fast and in the long run.
Spaced repetition is another critical aspect of the flashcards as it helps students review the information at increasing intervals. Research has proved that this repetition is better than cramming since it helps reinforce knowledge. Flashcards make a powerful study technique via the use of active recall and spaced repetition which are ideal for memory retention.
Picking the Best Platform for Free Flashcards
Many platforms offer free CRN flashcards to students. However, it is important to pick the ideal platform that suits your learning style. Some of the popular and top-notch options include Nursing Prep Exams, Brainscape, and Quizlet. All these platforms help users access many pre-made nursing flashcards.
Nursing Prep Exams – it is among the most notable options where students can access nursing flashcards. The site is renowned for its simplicity and ease of use. Students can also create custom flashcard sets according to their liking.
Quizlet – the platform has an advanced spaced repetition algorithm that can schedule reviews automatically based on how students remember the flashcards.
Brainscape – this platform incorporates smart learning with customization thus allowing students to rate their confidence in every answer. It can help them adjust in the future.
However, it is crucial to take your time and explore numerous platforms to identify what types of flashcards they offer and how they incorporate into your learning style. Also, look at features such as the ability to use and review flashcards on your mobile devices to make the experience more convenient.
Organize the Flashcards by Topic
Understand that the certified registered nurse exam covers diverse topics from patient care management to pharmacology. You need to organize your flashcards into different categories to effectively use them. For example, you would categorize the flashcards into topics that you find challenging such as Pharmacology, cardiovascular system, patient assessment, etc.
For students who prefer digital flashcards, the flashcard platforms will allow you to create separate decks or folders. Such organization helps you focus on specific subjects especially where those that appear more complex to you. As for the manual flashcards, you can use tab dividers or color-coding to distinguish the flashcards and use them effectively.
Have a Consistent Study Schedule
A study routine is important when preparing for the CRN exam. Cramming your flashcards is a quick fix but it can only work in the short-term, like in several hours and you forget everything. However, consistent study sessions will ensure you have a lasting memory retention. Ensure you create a study schedule where you dedicate a few hours to review the flashcards daily. That can be during lunch breaks, before bed, or early morning – whichever time you feel more productive.
Also, focus on short study periods like say 20-30 minutes periods. Studies show that your brain is more inclined to retain more information during the brief study sessions rather than the long ones.
Practice Spaced Repetition
Consider incorporating spaced repetition into your study routine. Rather than reviewing the flashcards daily, you could create a routine to review the cards at increasing intervals. Online platforms can help with this as they have algorithms that will automatically adjust these intervals for you. However, if you prefer the physical flashcards consider implementing the Leitner system.
This system sorts the flashcards into different piles or boxes such that every time you get a card correct, you place it in a box for less frequent review. Every card you get wrong should go into the more frequent review box until you master the concept on the card. This technique will help you put more emphasis on the cards that are more challenging to you.
Actively Engage with the Flashcards
It is human nature to flip the flashcards quickly or scheme through the answers prematurely. You need to resist looking at the answers prematurely and try as much as possible to remember the concept or information on the card. You could say the answer loudly or explain the concept like you would explain it to someone else before looking at the answer. This active engagement with your CRN nurse flash cards free will help with memory retention.
Focus on Challenging Areas
While it is common to keep reviewing flashcards on topics you already know, it is not a good practice. Your emphasis and focus should be on the areas you find more challenging. That is why it is advisable to first understand your weaker topics whether it is critical care nursing or pediatric care and prioritize them in the sessions.
For example, if you find pharmacology challenging, consider reviewing the side effects, medications, and other aspects of the topic in depth. That will help you improve on the weaker topics and hence your overall grades. However, do not completely abandon the other topics as you would need regular refreshing of the topics to retain the information.
Use Other Methods of Study
Even though flashcards are impressive study materials, they should not be used alone. Consider complementing them with other study materials such as taking practice exams, reading textbooks and even engaging in group discussions. Flashcards are great for memorizing terms and facts, but for a deeper understanding of the concepts you would require other techniques.
A good example is if you go through patients’ assessments flashcards, consider reinforcing the data by answering related practice questions or looking for a related case study. Such a combination will enable you to easily connect practical applications with theoretical knowledge.
Use Flashcards in Group Study Sessions
Studying with a group of peers adds new ideas and perspectives to the flashcard review sessions. Whether you choose to work with a study group or classmates, you can quiz each other and reinforce your knowledge of the challenging concepts. Group settings are beneficial as they offer the user impressive insights that one may not have looked at or imagined. The flashcard apps also have sharing features that allow users to distribute different flashcards to other peers.
Take turns to ask each other questions in the group setting and explain the concepts in your own words. This interaction with peers makes the study sessions more engaging and also helps solidify the information.
Bottom Line
Flashcards are an indispensable study technique, especially for exam preparation when used the right way. Ensure you fully understand how these CRN nurse flash cards free work, pick the right platform to use, and effectively organize the study sessions. Also, consider combining the flashcard study technique with other methods for the ultimate exam preparation experience.